The ep consists of three originals. They all move around dub techno/deep tech vibes but definetely there is Giulio’s touch as I listen to the tracks: to me his fingerprint consists in an absolute control over the musical elements in the mix plus an outstanding use of delays, but I will ask directly to him what his music is about.

So… welcome to the new session of my blog called Q&A!

Q&A with mr. Giulio Maresca:

Q: How much you like delays, how do you use’em and why?
A: I love delays, I usually use Ableton’s Ping Pong for its flexibility and ease of use. I like Softube’s Tube Delay for the sound and pitch modulation by varying the feedback, and I like the soft distortion it adds. I use also Timeless Fab Filter because it gives a lot of of creative possibilities given by the filters and lfo. Usually I use delays on send channels: Ableton’s Auto Filter on band pass mode with active lfo and random wave form goes before Ping Pong Delay, so the elements that I send to the delay often variate creating interesting patterns.

Q: Did you produce the track in your studio? and if so what’s your studio setup?
A: I mainly use Ableton Live with some external hardware like a Korg ESX, Korg Volca Bass and Volca Beats, an electric guitar and a multi-effects pedal which I use also with the drum machines (Giulio started out as a punk guitarist as myself. yeppa!). When I have the chance to play different synths or drum machines I sometimes sample them for later use. The three tracks were produced in different places, starting on my laptop so to save first ideas than the mixes were finalized in studio.

“Expectations in music are a dangerous road to take. You can’t expect anything from this and just do it because you truly love it and get something from playing. I’ve dedicated my entire life to this. I can’t even begin to count the hours, days, years etc…that I’ve spent in search of the beat and rhythm I speak about. I’ve missed holidays, missed birthdays, missed social interaction with people in the normal setting of life all for music. I’m not complaining, on the other hand, I’m just stating the truth, that this takes real dedication. If you give this much to something, it’s bound to give back to you. ” DVS1 for Once Was Now blog.

I am going to catch Zak, aka DVS1 (Devious One) next monday night at AURORA Festival. I will be very happy cause he’s one of my fav artist around.

Long story short: Zak aka DVS1 comes from Minneapolis, midwest US, the city of Prince but also land of grain and agricolture. He gets popular in Europe and worldwide few years ago (around 2009) thanks to Ben Klock and Derrick May. They were the first to releases DVS1 own production on Transmat and Klockworks. Zak has been djing in the underground for years that’s why he owns a huge vinyls collection (more than 10.000 units) and this is why he is so solid, not a parvenue but a very dedicated pro.
He’s the perfect example of contemporary techno artist: both skilled dj and top producer. He likes deep vibes and rough attitude in music. His own tracks are very consistent adding microvariations over arpeggios and a swingy groove with deep basses and a detroitish approach. You can call it detroit techno or deep techno, but to me there is a lot in his music coming from the early NY acid techno. Filters opening up or modulating, his leads never stay still. This is what I like of DVS1’s music: you get energy, deepness and elegance all in one.

this track is called “Confused” and was released On Klockworks in 2011.

and this is a video of DVS1 in action so to get the vibes of Minneapolis gigs and techno scene and to see him at the decks. I think this is brutal 🙂

and this is still DVS1 playing at Scala in London. fancy venue and deep vibes.

I really enjoy this community as everyone is ready to help and sharing their skills which is the best thing it can happen to a curious techno producer like me and you 🙂

In Subsekt you can scroll through geeky posts about hardware and compression techniques or take a break watching photos (I got to say how much I was shocked one day looking through the nice pics section finding a weird pic of someone’s legs coming out from a thrashcan and realize that pic was taken on the street where I live in Rome…jeeeez) but also you can read about parties all around europe.